Miniature rose plant named POULTVER

ABSTRACT

Miniature rose plant having a long shelf life, attractive and unique flower color, ease of propagation by softwood cuttings, and a vigorous and compact habit of growth.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of roseplant of the miniature class which was originated by us by crossing twounnamed seedlings.

The primary objective of this breeding was to produce a new pot rosevariety with a good keeping quality, especially for production in 6 to 8cm pots. The objective was substantially achieved, along with otherdesirable improvements, as evidenced by the following unique combinationof characteristics that are outstanding in the new variety and thatdistinguish it from its parents, as well as from all other varieties ofwhich we are aware:

1. Attractive, unique flower color (Red Group 52C);

2. Vigorous compact habit of growth;

3. Ease of propagation from softwood cutting; and

4. Long pot rose shelf life.

Asexual reproduction of this new variety by budding and softwoodcuttings, as performed at Fredensborg, Denmark, and Wasco, Calif., showsthat the foregoing characteristics and distinctions come true to formand are established and transmitted through succeeding propagations.

The accompanying illustration shows typical specimens of the vegetativegrowth and flowers of this new variety in different stages ofdevelopment, depicted in color as nearly true as it is reasonablypossible to make the same in a color illustration of this character.

The following is a detailed decription of our new rose cultivar withcolor descriptions using terminology in accordance with The RoyalHorticultural Society (London) Colour Chart, except where ordinarydictionary significance of color is indicated.

Parentage:

Seed parent.--Unnamed seedling.

Pollen parent.--Unnamed seedling.

Classification:

Botanical.--Rosa hybrida.

Commercial.--Miniature.

FLOWER

Observations made from specimens grown in a garden environment atFredensborg, Denmark, in 1991.

Blooming habit: Continuous.

Bud:

Size.--1.5 cm long when the petals start to unfurl.

Form.--Pointed ovoid to globular.

Color.--When sepals first divide, bud color is Red Group 52D. When halfblown, the upper sides of the petals are Red Group 52D; and the lowersides of the petals are Red Group 52C.

Sepals.--Color: Green Group 138B. Surface texture: Covered in finehairs. There are three lightly appendaged sepals. There are twounappendaged sepals with hairy edges.

Receptacle.--Color: Green Group 138C. Shape: Pear. Size: Small (1 cm×1cm). Surface: Smooth.

Peduncle.--Length: Short (3.8 cm to 4.5 cm). Surface: Smooth. Color:Green Group 137D. Strength: Stiff, erect.

Bloom:

Size.--Small. Average open size is 3.5 cm in diameter.

Borne.--Several together, in pyramidal clusters of 3 to 5 flowers.

Stems.--Medium to short (15.2 cm to 17.8 cm), strong.

Form.--When first open: Globular. Permanence: Flattens, all petals curl.

Petalage.--Number of petals under normal conditions: 20 to 40.

Color.--The upper side of the petals is Red Group 52D. The reverse sideof the petals is Red Group 52C. The base of each petal is Yellow Group4D at the point of attachment. The major color on the upper side is RedGroup 52D.

Variegations.--None.

Discoloration.--The general tonality at the end of the first day: Nochange. At the end of the third day, no change. By the 8th day there isa lightening of intensity to Red Group 55C.

Fragrance.--Slight.

Petals:

Texture.--Thin.

Shape.--Pointed oval.

Form.--Tips slightly recurved; moderately quilled.

Arrangement.--Imbricated, with many small petaloids in the center.

Persistence.--Drop off cleanly.

Lastingness.--On the plant: Very long (14 to 18 days). As a cut flower:Very long (10 to 12 days).

Reproductive parts:

Anthers.--Size: Small. Quantity: Many. Color: Yellow. Arrangement:Regular around the styles.

Filaments.--Color: White.

Pollen.--Color: Gold Yellow.

Styles.--Color: Greenish white.

Stigmas.--Color: Greenish white.

Form: Bush.

Growth: Vigorous, dwarf, compact.

Foliage:

Number of leaflets on the normal mid-stem leaves.--5.

Size.--Small (length 5 to 6 cm; width is 3 to 4 cm).

Quantity.--Normal.

Color.--New foliage: Green Group 137C. Old foliage: Green Group 139A.

Leaflets:

Shape.--Broadly oval.

Texture.--Upper side: Smooth.

Edge.--Serrated.

Serration.--Single, small.

Petiole rachis.--Color: Green.

Petiole underside.--Smooth with occasional prickles.

Stipules.--Medium, serrated.

Disease resistance.--Resistant to mildew and blackspot under normalgrowing conditions in a garden environment in Fredensborg, Denmark.

Wood:

New wood.--Color: Light green. Bark: Smooth.

Old wood.--Color: Green. Bark: Smooth.

Prickles:

Quantity.--On main canes from base: Ordinary. On laterals from maincanes: Few.

Form.--Short (0.3 cm long), straight.

Color when young.--Translucent.

Small prickles:

Quantity.--Few on main stalks and on laterals.

Color.--Green.

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of rose plant of the miniatureclass, substantially as herein shown and described, characterizedparticularly as to novelty by the unique combination of a long shelflife, attractive and unique flower color, ease of propagation bysoftwood cuttings, and a vigorous and compact habit of growth.